SP was a practising Quaker. She first encountered Quakers when she went to college in Delaware. The simplicity, the dedication to kindness, and living one’s life as a ministry really spoke to her. She began taking me to Quaker meeting as soon as I was old enough to sit still in silence for an hour.

One of the nights I was staying with her in the hospital we had a long talk about her Quakerism and spiritual beliefs. She emphasised that while I didn’t call it Quaker, my views and the way I was trying to show up in the world was also Quakerly. During this conversation, she encouraged me to read the works written by the early founders of Quakerism. Over the next several posts, I’ll be sharing some of the history of this movement along with details of the lives of early Quakers.

The 1630s and 1640s in England were marked by profound changes in the religious landscape. This period witnessed intense conflicts, divergent religious beliefs, and struggles for religious freedom. The clashes between different religious factions set the stage for significant societal and political transformations.

George Fox is widely regarded as the founder of the Religious Society of Friends, more commonly known as Quakerism. Fox was born in 1624 in Fenny Drayton, Leicestershire, England. Fox’s family played a significant role in his life and the development of Quakerism. He was the son of devout Puritans, Christopher Fox and Mary Lago Fox, and their religious influence had a profound impact on his upbringing. Although not much is known about George Fox’s immediate family, his father and mother instilled in him a strong sense of religious devotion and a deep belief in personal spiritual experiences. These early influences likely contributed to his later rejection of established religious practices and his emphasis on direct communion with the divine.

Fox experienced a deep spiritual yearning from an early age, likely as a result of the religious turmoil in which he lived, and likely influenced by the Puritan views held by his parents. At the age of 19, dissatisfied with the world in which he lived, Fox left his apprenticeship, said farewell to his family, and embarked on a quest for answers and solace.

His quest was not without trials. Fox’s confrontational approach towards established religious authorities and his refusal to conform to societal norms attracted significant attention and scrutiny. His attitude and preachings led to numerous encounters with the law.

One of Fox’s most notable arrests occurred in 1650 when he was taken into custody in Derby, England. He was brought before magistrates and faced charges of blasphemy. Despite the severe consequences he faced, Fox fearlessly defended his beliefs and refused to recant. He proclaimed the existence of the “Inward Light” and argued for the right of every individual to have direct access to the divine.

During his imprisonment, which lasted over a year, Fox continued to spread his message and convert fellow prisoners and even some jailers to his cause. His resilience and unwavering faith in the face of adversity left a lasting impression on those around him.

He recounted in his journal that in 1652, after a period of intense post-imprisonment soul-searching, he had a profound spiritual awakening. While sitting in quiet contemplation on Pendle Hill, Fox recounted hearing a voice within him that said, “There is one, even Christ Jesus, that can speak to thy condition.”

Inspired by his spiritual encounter, George Fox preached his radical beliefs with even more vigour, challenging the religious authorities and established doctrines of the time. He preached on how people did not need formalised religious ceremonies, and he emphasised the importance of direct personal experience with the divine. Fox told those who would listen that he believed all individuals had an inherent connection to the divine and could experience God’s presence without the need for intermediaries or hierarchical structures. As you can imagine, this set the Church of England and the Crown resolutely against Fox and his budding Quaker movement.

Fox’s teachings emphasised the concept of the “Inner Light” or “Inward Christ.” According to him, every person possessed an inner spiritual guide that could lead them to truth and righteousness. In today’s Quaker world, there are many terms we use, including “The Light,” “That of God,” and “The Divine Spark.” During a Quaker Meeting, we seek to tap into this Inner Light. We seek to make a connection to our bit of God, and let the Light guide us through our lives.

It is the belief in the Inner Light that laid the foundation for Quakerism’s egalitarianism. Quakers recognise the inherent worth and equality of all individuals, regardless of social status, gender, or race. Quakers played a pivotal role in promoting equality and justice, becoming known for their opposition to slavery, their stance on women’s rights, and their commitment to pacifism. They were among the first religious groups to advocate for the abolition of slavery and the equality of all individuals.

While in recent years Quakerism has become infiltrated by the radical left, there is a growing Quaker libertarian movement. In my mind, if one truly values the individual, the only option is to have as few restrictions imposed by hierarchical structures as possible.

Within all sects of Quakerism that I am familiar with (a topic for a future post) Fox’s legacy extends beyond his lifetime. His writings, including his influential journal, continue to inspire and guide Quakers.